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By Myke Agunwa
President Bola Tinubu has directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and security agencies to intensify rescue activities and relief operations in Mokwa, Niger state to cushion the effect of flooding .
Recall that high torrential flood on Wednesday swept through some communities in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State, claiming over 100 lives, with more than 100 persons still missing as of Friday.
The surging floodwaters submerged homes, destroyed bridges, and destroyed farmlands.
About 44 of recovered bodies were interred on Friday and more bodies have been recovered with recovering from the various degrees of injuries.
Empathizing with the victims and affected families, President Tinubu in a statement on Friday signed by Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, said the president had been “fully briefed” on the disaster and is “deeply concerned” about the loss of lives and destruction of property.
“His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), has been fully briefed on the situation and has directed all relevant emergency and security agencies to intensify ongoing search and rescue operations.
“The immediate priority of the Federal Government is to save lives and provide urgent relief to survivors.
“The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in collaboration with the Nigerian Armed Forces and the Niger State Government, is working round the clock to ensure that no effort is spared in bringing help to those in need.
“The federal government also acknowledged the efforts of first responders and local volunteers who are actively engaged in search-and-rescue missions across affected areas.
“We urge residents in the affected areas to cooperate fully with emergency officials and adhere to all evacuation directives that are issued.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families and all those affected by this tragic event. The Federal Government extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. In this moment of grief, the nation stands united with them in solidarity” he said.
Meanwhile, The Deputy Governor of Niger State, Mr Yakubu Garba, during a visit to the flooding inicident on Friday, reported that over 100 had been confirmed dead.
He said, “I have been briefed by officials from NEMA and NSEMA, who have been on ground since the incident occurred for search and rescue operations. I was told that over 100 people lost their lives and some have yet to be buried as search and rescue operations are still ongoing.”
Addressing survivors at the Internally Displaced Persons camp, Garba urged them to exercise patience as the state government was working out modalities to provide relief materials to those affected.
He said the state government had received materials from NEMA, which had been handed over to the council chairman for onward distribution to the victims.
The Director-General of NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar who was also part of the team said that officials of the agency were on the ground coordinating the search and rescue operations.
One of the victims, Anas Usman, recounted how 17 members of his household lost their lives to the disaster.
In an emotion laden speech, he told journalists,
“We were preparing to go to the farm in the morning when our house was suddenly submerged by floods; we did not know where the flood came from.
“The flood submerged our house, causing the structure to collapse. We lost children, women and men, who are family members,” he said.